Abstract

SCABUZZO, Clara. Estudios bioarqueológios de marcadores de estrés ocupacional en cazadores recolectores pampeanos del holoceno temprano-medio: Análisis de la serie Esqueletal de arroyo seco 2. Rev Arg Antrop Biol [online]. 2012, vol.14, n.1, pp.17-31. ISSN 1514-7991.

This paper deals with the hunter-gatherer way of life from a bioarchaeological perspective, through the analysis of daily activity patterns; more specifically through the study of occupational stress markers. Physical activity patterns and the use of the body leave occupational markers on the skeleton and they can be pathological or not. Pathological modifications include: osteoarthritis, fractures and stress injuries. Non-pathological modifications are musculoskeletal and postural-mechanical stress markers. In this paper articular modifications and musculoskeletal stress markers were considered. Adult skeletons from Arroyo Seco 2 site (Tres Arroyos, Buenos Aires Province) were analyzed. A total of 44 skeletons, including adults and subadults, were recovered at the site. These remains were chronologically assigned to the Early-Middle Holocene on the basis of several radiocarbonic datations. The results presented here suggest that at these times there was a gender division of labor for daily tasks among Pampean hunter-gatherer groups. Men, since early adulthood, carried out activities of higher physical demand, while women tasks entailed lower physical work demand.

Keywords : Activity patterns; Osteoarthritis; Musculoskeletal stress markers; Gender division of labor.

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